Escapees January-February 2024

docent at the nearby Naval Air Museum. To apply visit: www. fl oridastateparks.org/ index.php/get-involved SMITH ROCK STATE PARK nearBend, Oregon, provided a completely different experience. Smith Rock is a climbing and hiking day-use park. We worked the information yurt, providing hiking trails and safety information, along with geolog ical and local history. Other volunteers performed park maintenance duties. When the park closed at the end of each day, only the hosts were left. Think about it, a serene park all to yourself in the evenings with wildlife coming out to hang around. It was so enchanting, we returned twice. Toapply visit: https://stateparks.oregon.gov/index. cfm?do=get-involved.volunteer DUNGENESS COUNTY CAMPGROUND near Sequim, Washington, furnished yet another version of camp hosting. Park administra tors assigned us maintenance and campsite cleanup duties, but because it was winter and visitors were few, we had plenty of time for other maintenance responsibilities. We especially enjoyed patrolling the park in a four-wheel, off-road utility vehicle, looking for trash while interacting with visitors. To apply visit: https://www.clallamcountywa. gov/809/Volunteers.) The most interesting experience thus far was a stint at LYNDON JOHNSON STATE PARK—LIVING HISTORY FARM , in the Texas Hill Country, near Fredericksburg. For three months we functioned as period-costumed interpreters relating farm and area history to guests. Additionally, we explained the workings of the farm, including the functions of the various implements and equipment. We not only worked as interpretive hosts, but also took care of farm chores wherever needed. To apply visit: https://tpwd.texas. gov/volunteer We’ve lent our time to the Escapees

in light of the many opportunities. There’s something available for nearly any interest, and don’t take a position unless you enjoy it. Find Your Volunteer Role To fi nd opportunities, search state park websites for “volunteer opportunities.” Volunteer.gov is a great resource for Federal positions (National Parks, Corps of Engineers etc.). Are you “handy” with repairs and tools or have a longing to operate machinery? You might want to think about becoming a “maintenance” host. Retail background? Working in a gift shop might be for you. Are you a “people person”? Consider interpretive roles. Are you drawn to museums or arboretums? Maybe a favorite hiking trail needs upkeep? The point is, don’t limit yourself to state or national parks but also consider county and city parks or other venues. The usual requirement is a one-month commitment, but some ask for two or more months. Schedules vary at each location, with working three or four days a week, at four to fi ve hours a day being normal. Location amenities vary. Some parks include onsite laundry. Wi-Fi availability can be varied as is cell service. Check before you go, especially if you require solid service. Also check to make sure your rig will fi t. Some parks are small with narrow roads and tight sites. Where is the nearest medical facility or grocery store? Consider what the weather will be while you’re there. While giving our time we’ve made lasting friends, gained new skills, overcome chal lenges and learned more about ourselves. If I had one word to describe this, it would be “ful fi lling.” I tell you, we’ll keep on volunteer ing as long as the RV wheels keep rolling. Maybe we’ll even see you down the road oneday. LES JONES #142800 and his wife, Kerry, are second generation Escapees. They departed their careers in 2019, sold almost all possessions and set out without a grand plan. Les says, “We just wanted to see it all before age prevented us from taking the opportunity. I think we’ve succeeded for the most part. We certainly haven’t ‘seen it all’ yet. Our trusty RV, Lucky, a Newmar Ventanae, and Max, the-adventure-car, have become trusted and beloved members of the family. They await the next adventure.”

club, manning a booth at the San Antonio RV Show, acting as ambas sadors for the club and, at the same

time, recruiting new members. We plan to work the booth again at the 2024 Quartzite gathering. These are but a few of the opportunities available. What are your interests? You must ask yourself some basic questions

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ESCAPEES Magazine January/February 2024